The Joyful Gourmet

I was so excited to sign up for the pasta making class because I have love fresh pasta. The class cost $96 which includes a glass of cheap wine. My biggest disappointment was that we did not make the dough for the pasta. It was pre-made and we just put it through the pasta maker like a child playing with playdo. I was very disappointed with that because the technique I was there to learn was getting the consistency of the dough right. Chef Laura made 5 items, of which only the panzanella salad was tasty. The sunflower seed pesto and the balsamic honey brussel sprouts were absolutely disgusting. The only thing I thought was just okay was the roasted garlic tomato sauce, to which she added Italian sausage. She did not even bother to demonstrate the assembly of the tiramisu, just served one that she’d made earlier! Could have been store bought for all I know! This whole class was a farce and definitely not worth the money. I cannot recommend it at all! Not to learn and certainly not for the taste! Take your money and spend it at a decent Italian restaurant where you will at least get a nice bottle of wine and a tasty meal for that price!

Great selection of products and wonderful customer service!

Love this place! Cute downtown setting and if you love cooking this is the place. Wine by the glass too and the owners are the nicest people

Knowledgeable staff. Very different selection from the norm.

I love the joyful gourmet! I’ve been buying kitchen tools and gifts from here for the past year, and I was finally able to take one of their cooking classes. It was so much fun; my husband and I learned a lot; and the food was delicious! Chef Dave was great! Highly recommend!

Brought my sister here for her birthday, along with her friend, me and my wife. We did a lobster roll and oyster cooking class and it was honestly some of the most fun I have had in ages. Drank wine, local craft beer and got to know owners and other anniversary couples. Ingredients were top notch everyone had fun. The shop itself has a wonderful selection that you can easily find an excuse to add to your kitchen, dining room or bar. Not your average "found at Target" stuff. Can't say enough good things - we are already looking to plan our next class and kitchen upgrade!

Stunning displaying polish pottery caught my eye while out for dinner- so glad I came back!

Had an experience with this company that was less than Joyful.

I stopped in a year ago and spoke with the owner, I really appreciated talking with her- because of all she did to get this business up and running. I kept this in mind when planning a summer event for my company.

I reached out to schedule a corporate event, and was told the same thing twice- they took my information and said 'someone will reach out to you by this afternoon'.

Eventually I received a call from someone claiming to be their "events manager" who told me she was 'extremely busy'. I let her know that I've already been waiting a few days, and need to make a decision soon. She essentially just told me that she would send me an email with the information. Another day goes by, and I still haven't received any info.

I'm so glad, however, for the owner - that her business is doing well enough to completely ignore a company interested in a 30+ person event. I could guarantee that this events manager isn't a fraction as busy as I am, but even then, the point is that she can't live up to her word, which is a poor representation of the company.

The shop is a real treasure trove of food-related merchandise, with friendly staff and decent prices.
We actually attended a cooking class inside the store for making Korean dumplings and a cold noodle dish called Jap Chae. The instructor chef was very knowledgeable and informative, and the class was very enjoyable.
We will definitely return, both for the merchandise and for another class.

The Joyful Gourmet is nothing short of a culinary wonderland, where every visit feels like a VIP experience. Their cooking demonstration dinners are a masterclass in gastronomy, blending entertainment with education in the most delightful way. The chefs not only craft exquisite dishes but also imbue each session with passion and humor, making you feel like both a student and a connoisseur. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement, as guests are treated to a spectacle of flavors and techniques. It’s a place where food transcends mere sustenance and becomes a joyful celebration of craftsmanship and community. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just curious about culinary arts, The Joyful Gourmet offers an unparalleled dining adventure. They also have an impressive selection of high quality cookware to choose from!

I had such a fun time here for the Valentine's Day demonstration dinner! Chef Drew's creative dinner was amazing, from the salad (a simple and beautiful bird's nest) to the main (I had the vegetarian stuffed mushroom which had a perfect ratio of creamy and crunchy), to the creme caramel. Can't ignore their wine game, either. I love the feel of the store. It has everything you'd find in an upscale chain restaurant store - but feels like the personalized version with fun little extras and a great way to spend local. Kim and Dan clearly love what they do, and Judy went above and beyond behind the scenes. Definitely 5 stars for The Joyful Gourmet!

I recently enrolled my daughter and myself in a Christmas cookie decorating class, and we had a wonderful time! The instructor did a great job explaining everything and was very attentive to our needs. The store was exceptionally clean and well-maintained, and the staff were incredibly kind and welcoming. We had such a great experience that we're looking forward to attending another class in the future! It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning!

I had a wonderful class the first time I went. The second time was awful. The chef was practically yelling at me. She told me that I was doing it wrong because I didn’t listen to her the first time. Despite giving directions out I was told not to follow them and listen to her, even though she was unwilling to help. No tips were given. It was clear the chef could not handle the large group of people. She was visibly overwhelmed. Chef was harsh in her instructions. I also came to the class with a family member to find out the other people in the class was a group of 12 celebrating a birthday together. They were extremely loud and disruptive and should have been a private group. The food was subpar. The chef started out the class announcing that the dessert was made out of a box cake mix and canned pears. The main dish was bland and starchy. The flavors for the salad clashed and really took away from the dish. I was very disappointed and the girls working the event I chatted with were so kind and affirmed that this is not how the class is usually like. Those kind girls were the reason I feel like I will come back. I will come back but not to a class taught by chef judy. I will be calling for a refund or a credit of some kind.

I had a wonderful class the first time I went. The second time was awful. The chef was practically yelling at me. She told me that I was doing it wrong because I didn’t listen to her the first time. Despite giving directions out I was told not to follow them and listen to her, even though she was unwilling to help. No tips were given. It was clear the chef could not handle the large group of people. She was visibly overwhelmed. Chef was harsh in her instructions. I also came to the class with a family member to find out the other people in the class was a group of 12 celebrating a birthday together. They were extremely loud and disruptive and should have been a private group. The food was subpar. The chef started out the class announcing that the dessert was made out of a box cake mix and canned pears. The main dish was bland and starchy. The flavors for the salad clashed and really took away from the dish. I was very disappointed and the girls working the event I chatted with were so kind and affirmed that this is not how the class is usually like. Those kind girls were the reason I feel like I will come back. I will come back but not to a class taught by chef judy. I will be calling for a refund or a credit of some kind.

Awesome time! Intimate setting and a very fun evening! Dave was very entertaining, but the star of the night was the owner (Dan). The perfect combination of servant leadership (sweeping up broken glass), customer engagement (spending quality time with all 16 of us), and gracious host (wine samples, etc). Highly recommend any Joyful Gourmet event - they are the best!